AJ Srubas is a twin cities based fiddler specializing in old time, bluegrass, Cajun, and country music.
AJ picked up a fiddle at age 10 and hasn’t put it down since, though in his spare time he has been known to play some steel guitar, too. You can read more about his musical background here. He performs and teaches both as an individual and with a number of regional and nationally touring projects and enjoys doing session work on fiddle and steel when able. More on musical projects, lessons, workshops, and studio/session work below.
“AJ’s fiddle playing is exquisite – so precise and detailed.”
— Old Time News (UK)
new solo fiddle album coming out September 3 on Common Loon Records
I’m excited to announce that my first solo fiddle album will be coming out this September on Common Loon Records!
With the support of a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board I was able to bring a powerhouse lineup of pickers up to Minnesota to back me up on this project, featuring Reed Stutz on mandolin, Trevor Holder on banjo, Conner Vlietstra on guitar, and Rina Rossi on bass. We went over to Tom Herbers studio and sent a bunch of my current favorite fiddle tunes into an old RCA 44 straight to tape. I’m excited for you to hear them!
Thanks to the folks over at Common Loon Records for taking this on! Check out the first single, Callahan, on bandcamp or wherever you listen to music. Pre-order a copy at the link above, and/or sign up for the mailing list below to stay up to date on album release news.
upcoming shows
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Alum Ridge Boys and Ashlee
July 12 - 16 | Grassroots Camp & Festival | Trumansburg, NY
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Steam Machine
July 18 | Live in Viroqua | Viroqua, WI
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Half Baked
August 7-8 | Minnesota Bluegrass Festival | Richmond, MN
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Steam Machine
August 28-29 | Bluegrass in the Pines | Rosholt, WI
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Steam Machine
September 4 | Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival | Woodstown, NJ
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Steam Machine
September 10-13 | Old Tone| Hillsdale, NY
bands/projects
Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee
classic bluegrass/oldtime/early country
fiddle work on various projects including Alum Ridge Boys and Ashlee
Half Baked
bluegrass
Half Baked began when the backing band for a Kenny Baker tribute show had a little too much fun together. It’s evolving into…well, we’ll just have to see where it goes!
Pop Wagner’s Honky Tonk Ranch
country
early country & country originals and covers with Twin Cities legend Pop Wagner
AJ + Rina
old time fiddle tunes + songs
teaching/workshops/performances/dances
Steam Machine
old-time & bluegrass
fiddle forward old time bluegrass music
Old Fashioned Aces
cajun music
comfort food for the Cajun music fan, from old fiddle tunes to classic dance floor packers to bilingual country classics.
lessons | workshops | teaching
AJ and Rina enjoy teaching and have taught at festivals, camps, and one on one lessons both together and separately. Past teaching engagements include Ashokan Center, Augusta Heritage Center, Swannanoa Gathering, Fiddle Tunes, Kaufman Kamp, Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association, Grassroots Culture Camp, Montana Fiddle Camp, and others.
As a teacher, AJ enjoys teaching
one-on-one lessons for adults and older youth interested in learning fiddle technique, styles, and deeper history and context of old time & bluegrass music, including a specific focus on Missouri Valley, Illinois, and midwest fiddle repertoire and styles. in person (twin cities area) or virtual from wherever you are
workshops at festivals and events in old-time, bluegrass, and Cajun fiddle styles and technique
old time fiddle camps for adults and youth
Rina enjoys teaching rhythm guitar, bass, flatfooting, square dance calling, and social dance.
Interested in connecting about lessons/worskhops? click below for contact form.
tracking / recording fiddle & steel
Looking for some fiddle or steel on your next record? Get in touch HERE. AJ does most tracking from his home studio and can send it to you wherever you are.